Associate of Applied Science with a major in Occupational Therapy Assistant
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program considers for admission those applicants who demonstrate exceptional academic and professional potential essential for successful completion of the program. Completion of general education courses does not guarantee admittance, the OTA program Admissions Committee reviews all completed application packets. Admission into this program is competitive, therefore all requirements must be met. Interested individuals are advised to complete their application as early as possible to ensure timely consideration.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Application Steps and Admission requirements

Step 1

Enroll in Parker University and begin taking relevant Occupational Therapy Assistant program pre-professional phase requirements. Admission to Parker University does not guarantee admission to a Health Sciences program.

The OTA program considers applicants on a first come, first served basis based on their eligibility and completion of admission requirements until program slots are full. Please note; students completing prerequisite coursework at Parker University and meeting all admission requirements may receive first consideration for acceptance into the OTA program.

At the time of submission of the application for the OTA program prospective students must have completed all 24 of the required pre-professional credit hours (general education and prerequisite coursework) with a grade of “C” or better and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale). Any exceptions to this policy are based on available space and require approval from the OTA Program Director and the Dean of the College of Health Sciences.

Prerequisite Anatomy & Physiology courses must have been taken within five years prior to admission. Proof of recent significant experience in the applications of these sciences may be considered in waiving this 5-year requirement provided the original prerequisites were completed.

Any student who has completed a healthcare degree (ex: RT, RN, LPN/LVN, PA, DC, MD) which requires licensure must submit proof of good standing.

Please note:Students who do not meet the coursework will not be allowed to progress to the core OTA curriculum. Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all required pre-professional courses. If a student earns a grade of a “D” or “F”, he or she must repeat the pre-professional course to be eligible for admission into the professional sequence of the OTA program. If the student wishes to repeat a course to continue his/her program of study, he/she will be required to go through the re-entry process as outlined in the Parker University catalog.

Step 2

Submit proof of all immunization requirements before applying for OTA program admission.

A completed immunization form is due at the time you apply for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program (professional phase) admission. Students enrolling in the OTA program must have completed the immunization series. Students without proof of completed immunizations will not be allowed to continue into the program. No exceptions.

Completed Hepatitis B Series

The Texas Department of State Health Services requires that all students enrolled in health profession programs that are exposed to blood and body fluid musthave completed the Hepatitis B series prior to direct patient care. The Hepatitis B series includes three injections. The Hepatitis B is a 3 stage series that will take at least 6 months to administer. Students must have completed a minimum of 2/3 of the Hepatitis B series prior to application to the program.

Meningitis (MV) - Texas Legislature approved Senate Bill 62 requiring all entering University students, under the age of 22, to submit evidence of being immunized against meningococcal meningitis.

Mumps, Measles, Rubella (MMR)

Varicella

Tetanus and Diphtheria

Tuberculosis test, within the last 12 months - (If the TB test comes back positive, then results from a current annual chest x-ray will need to be provided.)

Influenza/Seasonal Flu immunization (required annually, during flu season, Sept‐March or April)

Information on vaccination requirements and exemptions can be located on the Registrar’s webpage of the Parker University website HERE.

Please note: Clinical Fieldwork sites have the right to refuse students who have asked for exemptions from immunizations for personal or religious reasons. These cases will be handled individually.

Step 3

Submit Observation Hours Verification form when applying for OTA program admission. Applicants must complete a minimum of 40 hours of observation within an Occupational Therapy practice setting with an OTR or COTA to be considered for admission to the OTA program and submit a completed Parker University Observation Hours Verification Form with the application.

The observation experience must be completed within one year (12 months) of the date in which the application is submitted.

This experience must be documented on the Parker University Observation Hours Verification Form and completed by a licensed OTR or COTA.

Please Note: It is the applicant’s responsibility to arrange this experience. Students who do not meet the volunteer requirements will not be allowed to progress to the core OTA curriculum.

Step 4

Complete and submit the online OTA program Application. Read and sign all program acknowledgment and disclosure forms found HERE.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program currently accepts applications and will schedule interviews all year round. The OTA online application and all required documentation must be submitted before or by the Final Application due date for the desired semester start.

Applications for the May start will be accepted up to six weeks before the start or March 15th

Applications for the September start will be accepted up to six weeks before the start or July 15th

Each applicant will receive notification of acceptance or non-acceptance within one month of the application submission and interview. If an application for a desired cohort or semester start is received after the final application due date or the desired cohort is full, then the application will be considered for the following cohort or semester start. Incomplete applications, and/or requirements will NOT be accepted.

Final Application Due Date	Professional Phase Semester
March 15	Summer – May
July 15	Fall – September

All students applying for admission into the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (Professional Phase) must complete and meet all of the program admission requirements.